I am of the opinion that although Snowden broke rules/laws the long view will be that he did more positive than negative. I think it would be a great PR move to pardon him....for Obama or Trump. but doubt if it will happen since the established politicians of both the R's and D's are 100% against it.

Obama: I can't pardon somebody who hasn't gone before a court and presented themselves, so that's not something that I would comment on at this point.

fta Ex parte Garland:

The power thus conferred is unlimited, with the exception stated. It extends to every offence known to the law, and may be exercised at any time after its commission, either before legal proceedings are taken or during their pendency or after conviction and judgment. This power of the President is not subject to legislative control. Congress can neither limit the effect of his pardon nor exclude from its exercise any class of offenders. The benign prerogative of mercy reposed in him cannot be fettered by any legislative restrictions.

"On June 14, 2013, United States federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Snowden, charging him with theft of government property, and two counts of violating the Espionage Act through unauthorized communication of national defense information and "willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person."[5][242] Each of the three charges carries a maximum possible prison term of ten years. The charge was initially secret and was unsealed a week later." (Wikipedia)

"On June 14, 2013, United States federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Snowden, charging him with theft of government property, and two counts of violating the Espionage Act through unauthorized communication of national defense information and "willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person."[5][242] Each of the three charges carries a maximum possible prison term of ten years. The charge was initially secret and was unsealed a week later." (Wikipedia)

So given the chance they would lock him up for 30 years even though what he exposed was illegal spying by the government.

"On June 14, 2013, United States federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Snowden, charging him with theft of government property, and two counts of violating the Espionage Act through unauthorized communication of national defense information and "willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person."[5][242] Each of the three charges carries a maximum possible prison term of ten years. The charge was initially secret and was unsealed a week later." (Wikipedia)

So given the chance they would lock him up for 30 years even though what he exposed was illegal spying by the government.

Which he would be a whistleblower if he had followed protocol and taken it up the chain of command. Revealing classified information is illegal. Here is something on Whistleblower laws in the United States (wikipedia).

The Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA) was passed in 1998. This law provides a secure means for employees to report to Congress allegations regarding classified information. The law, which applies to both employees and contractors, requires the whistleblower to notify the agency head, through an Inspector General, before they can report an “urgent” concern to a congressional intelligence committee. The law doesn’t prohibit employment-related retaliation and it provides no mechanism, such as access to a court or administrative body, for challenging retaliation that may occur as a result of having made a disclosure.[31]

I'd be okay with someone who blew the whistle on corruption in government getting a pardon. I doubt it'd happen though, given the people who would have to pardon him would be the corrupt government he blew the whistle on...

Which he would be a whistleblower if he had followed protocol and taken it up the chain of command. Revealing classified information is illegal. Here is something on Whistleblower laws in the United States (wikipedia).

The Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA) was passed in 1998. This law provides a secure means for employees to report to Congress allegations regarding classified information. The law, which applies to both employees and contractors, requires the whistleblower to notify the agency head, through an Inspector General, before they can report an “urgent” concern to a congressional intelligence committee. The law doesn’t prohibit employment-related retaliation and it provides no mechanism, such as access to a court or administrative body, for challenging retaliation that may occur as a result of having made a disclosure.[31]

with an already corrupt government, good luck getting anything done following those guidelines and rules.

I really don't think he accomplished anything except for pissing everyone off. The government got mad at him, the people got mad at government and what was the end result? He ran, people got paranoid and the government had to give up one of their attempts at monitoring for potential threats. If he had gone through the proper channels, if he had taken a stand instead of running to the countries with the most "welcoming arms" then I wouldn't have a problem.

I really don't think he accomplished anything except for pissing everyone off. The government got mad at him, the people got mad at government and what was the end result? He ran, people got paranoid and the government had to give up one of their attempts at monitoring for potential threats. If he had gone through the proper channels, if he had taken a stand instead of running to the countries with the most "welcoming arms" then I wouldn't have a problem.

If he had tried the proper channels, he would have been destroyed professionally and silenced before anything was made known.